Biography

Canadian-American actor in film and TV best known as the Starship Commander James T. Kirk on the series "Star Trek," 1966-1969. He played the role for more than three decades on TV and in the movies. Some of his other TV works include "The Explosive Generation," 1961, "T.J. Hooker," in which he played a cop, 1983 and "Rescue 911," a real-life medical drama. In 1994, "TekWar," a cable series based on Shatner's best-selling series of sci-fi detective novels, premiered on the USA Network.

That same year, former cast mates from "Star Trek," the TV series, accused him of being, among other things, "an insensitive, hurtful egotist." He denied and dismissed the charges quickly. A book in which he spoofed himself, "Get a Life," was published in the summer of 1999. An equestrian since the mid-'70s, Shatner also performed in world class competitions.

Shatner married Canadian actress Gloria Rand in August 1956; they had three daughters before divorcing in 1969. He ended his second marriage, to Marcy Lafferty, in 1993 after 20 years and three daughters with a settlement of $24 million. The press had reported womanizing and drinking for some time prior to the breakup. Exchanging vows for the third time, he married Nerine Kidd in Pasadena, CA on 11/15/1997. It was her first marriage. On 8/08/1999, when he returned home about 10:15 PM, he saw Nerine's nude body in the deep end of their swimming pool. He dived in to pull her from the pool but was unable to resuscitate her. Their union had not been smooth; Shatner had filed for divorce on 10/21/1998, citing irreconcilable differences, but they had apparently reconciled. Scandal magazines ran stories steadily about Nerine's drinking problem and periodic stays in rehab.

About 1989, he began to experience tinnitus, a ringing in the ears that becomes so persistent that the 10 million people who suffer it often contemplate suicide. While it cannot be cured, there are medical procedures to alleviate the discomfort. For Shatner, relief came with a hearing-aid-like device in January 1996. He became a spokesman and fundraiser for the American Tinnitus Association.

On 2/13/2001, Shatner, 69, made a third marriage, to Elizabeth Martin, 42, a one-time high school homecoming queen, in Lebanan, IN, the bride's hometown.

Shatner's career was renewed in 2004 with the offbeat TV series "Boston Legal," in which he plays blowhard Attorney Denny Crane. In the fall of 2006, at age 75 he became emcee of "Show Me the Money," a quiz show on which he cavorts with the 13 lovely female dancers.